November into December marks the beginning of the dry season. Yet, mother nature decided to send a typhoon and then in January a nice tropical depression over Yap. When it begins raining during the school day you can hear our principal say "so much for the dry season!" And it's true. My neighbors and students talk about the changes in the climate quite often. About how the weather is unpredictable. Rising sea levels threaten to erode coast lines, ruin coral atolls, destroy crop yields, and eventually wipe out these low- lying islands throughout the Pacific. These are not just nice corals to view while scuba diving, beaches to lay out and get a tan, crops that can be replaced by the crappy imports-- they are vital to sustaining the foundation of these islands.
We will soon live in a world that has climate change refugees, due in part to many nations not taking care of the environment. Due in part to individuals like myself who didn't care about the affects of what I was releasing into the environment. One of the best pieces of advice- in order to address the "world's problems" I need to acknowledge they are "my problems."
I am no expert on this issue and I haven't skimmed the "Book for Dummies: Global Warming." So, I will not be sitting here pretending I am the queen bee. However, I thought I would share some insights from the world wide web and the ultra credible source- my students!
Poet Kathy Jetnil- Kijiner presented a beautifully written poem at the UN climate leaders summit. I find this to be very powerful, especially her being 1) young, 2) mother 3) WOMAN 4) Marshallese and 5) gaining the attention of the entire convention My favorite line is "we deserve to do more than just survive." If you have not seen the clip take a look... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4fdxXo4tnY
An excerpt:
dear matafele peinam,
i want to tell you about that lagoon
that lucid, sleepy lagoon lounging against the sunrise
some men say that one day
that lagoon will devour you
they say it will gnaw at the shoreline
chew at the roots of your breadfruit trees
gulp down rows of your seawalls
and crunch your island’s shattered bones
they say you,
your daughter
and your granddaughter, too
will wander rootless
with only a passport to call home
dear matafele peinam,
don’t cry
mommy promises you
no one
will come and devour you
In an effort to waste time, meaningfully, I presented this poem to my Freshman class. We spent the quarter discussing the effects of cultural change on the people who live out that culture. We talked about the pressures from outside influence to adapt to a new way of life that interferes with the norms and values of Yapese custom. We've since moved into cultural identity and talk about the students; individual feelings about this culture change.
What happens if we lose our identity as Micronesians? What would it feel like to wander without roots in your land. Land that is so important to the family name, the rank and voice it holds in power. What happens when these people are uprooted- to no longer have a foundation of their values, customs, tradition, legends, ancestors, family, land, all of it....
What would it feel like to only have a passport to call home? Can you imagine Ireland being wiped away? Could I consider myself Irish anymore?
These may be small nations in a hard to reach part of the world, but they are packed full with just as much importance. My students and I have talked about cultural superiority. What is civilized and why do we think of it as only one definition. Why isn't local medicine, traditional dance, eating from the garden, respect of elders, cooperation and sharing amongst islanders--- why aren't these the traits of what many often mistake to be "civilized"?
To be honest- it's freaky, scary, but it is important that we address it instead of pretending it does not exist. Because it is real in my students' lives- they live with the consequences of others. A promising idea- maybe my students will be the ones to change this wrongdoing....
I asked my students to write their own poems about their island culture and to address the identity crisis- in relation to climate, custom, tradition, family, yada yada yada- that is happening to many islanders, today. I have been granted permission to share these poems with you! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
What happens if we lose our identity as Micronesians? What would it feel like to wander without roots in your land. Land that is so important to the family name, the rank and voice it holds in power. What happens when these people are uprooted- to no longer have a foundation of their values, customs, tradition, legends, ancestors, family, land, all of it....
What would it feel like to only have a passport to call home? Can you imagine Ireland being wiped away? Could I consider myself Irish anymore?
These may be small nations in a hard to reach part of the world, but they are packed full with just as much importance. My students and I have talked about cultural superiority. What is civilized and why do we think of it as only one definition. Why isn't local medicine, traditional dance, eating from the garden, respect of elders, cooperation and sharing amongst islanders--- why aren't these the traits of what many often mistake to be "civilized"?
To be honest- it's freaky, scary, but it is important that we address it instead of pretending it does not exist. Because it is real in my students' lives- they live with the consequences of others. A promising idea- maybe my students will be the ones to change this wrongdoing....
I asked my students to write their own poems about their island culture and to address the identity crisis- in relation to climate, custom, tradition, family, yada yada yada- that is happening to many islanders, today. I have been granted permission to share these poems with you! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Who Are You Now?
Who are you now?
You're not my child anymore.
A child of mine bows with respect to his elders
And knows how to live by the seashore.
Who are you now?
You're not my child anymore.
A child of mine bows with respect to his elders
And knows how to live by the seashore.
He wears a thu and goes fishing in his canoe.
She wears a grass skirt, and gardens at the taro patches, too.
He builds canoes and koyengs.
She cooks taro, breadfruit, and yams.
he loves his wife more than beer.
She loves her children and fill her family with cheer.
Child, what are you wearing?
A dress from Versache's Spring Collection?
A dress from Versache's Spring Collection?
What are you eating?
Spam? From the canned meat section?
Why waste your time on the Internet
When you could be helping your father with his fishing net?
Child, listen to Mama Wa'ab once more.
Don't give in to your Western neighbors anymore.
Spam? From the canned meat section?
Why waste your time on the Internet
When you could be helping your father with his fishing net?
Child, listen to Mama Wa'ab once more.
Don't give in to your Western neighbors anymore.
But I know it's too late, and changes have been made.
So child, who are you now?
Life here with Yap
You've been treating me good.
You provide me with food.
The food you provide is never bitter,
and money doesn't matter.
The air that I breathe makes me feel high
and when I sigh,
expressing happiness,
I can't help, but forget the world's crappiness.
Yap, you welcomed me with open arms,
yet I couldn't protect yo from the harms.
Although the newcomers tortured her,
I just stood by and stared.
They tore apart your flesh
that was beautiful and fresh.
They took away your priceless possessions
Only for the benefit of their obsessions.
I told myself that is was for the best,
yet I feel pain in my chest.
And so I stood and spoke up
But they just told me to shut up.
If I said "Make me" would that change
anything... something?
So they continue to torture
And I'll try to nurture.
If others bring you down and such
just turn around and say "jealous much."
Don't care what others say about you
Because there's nothing they can do.
The Ocean
He built the seawall
to protect his families and all.
As though he timed them throbbing,
Runs they, bobbing, bobbing.
He built the seawall
to protect his families and all.
As though he timed them throbbing,
Runs they, bobbing, bobbing.
High tide and low tide
up and down never get tired.
They came on land
destroy every band.
Protect our land
Protect our surrounding!
But it was too late.
Another shout out to my freshman. Our discussion has been revolving around identity. I have had a series of "Who am I?" essays in which they address these issues of cultural conflict as they have experienced them. It's very humbling and impressive to read these essays on the issues they are faced with everyday. Torn between culture, family and religion. Confused about who they are, but excited for the opportunities of the future. Reading these essays has been the greatest surprise as a teacher. It has been unexpected, but a welcomed gift to teach a class in which I am learning right along with the students and engaging in conversation that is meaningful and important as they try to establish their personal and spiritual identities in life.
up and down never get tired.
They came on land
destroy every band.
Protect our land
Protect our surrounding!
But it was too late.
Another shout out to my freshman. Our discussion has been revolving around identity. I have had a series of "Who am I?" essays in which they address these issues of cultural conflict as they have experienced them. It's very humbling and impressive to read these essays on the issues they are faced with everyday. Torn between culture, family and religion. Confused about who they are, but excited for the opportunities of the future. Reading these essays has been the greatest surprise as a teacher. It has been unexpected, but a welcomed gift to teach a class in which I am learning right along with the students and engaging in conversation that is meaningful and important as they try to establish their personal and spiritual identities in life.
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